I won’t sulk says Arni
Last updated 15:46, Wednesday, 14 May 2008
REMEMBER how it was when David Raven was confronted with a three-match suspension after his red card against Southend last month?
If Carlisle were to sink into the play-offs, we thought, at least the influential right-back would be back for the second leg.
Now that moment has arrived, Raven’s return to the side is suddenly no longer the foregone conclusion many supporters had anticipated. Paul Arnison’s fine performance in the 2-1 win at Leeds on Monday represented the rolling back of recent years to the time when he was one of the first names on Carlisle’s team sheet.
If Arnison’s four-and-a-half-year spell at Brunton Park is nearing its end – many presume he will depart the club in the summer – then his efforts at Elland Road confirmed that the 30-year-old is raging against the idea he would fade quietly from view.
After a season of reserve-team frustration, he is in contention to retain his place in the starting eleven for tomorrow’s second leg.
At the very least, he has given John Ward a sizeable selection dilemma for one of the most significant games in Carlisle’s recent history.
“David has missed three matches over the last couple of weeks and we have to look and see whether it’s right to put him in there,” said Ward. “Paul Arnison has done well and it is something I will have to talk about with my staff.”
If the discussion concludes in Arnison’s favour, there will be no more wholehearted player on the Brunton Park pitch tomorrow night. If Ward and his coaches find for Raven, Arnison will step aside, possibly for the last time, with his head held high.
“I would be gutted, but the gaffer knows I’m not a sulk,” said Arnison. “If I’m not selected for the second leg, then I feel I’ve gone out on a good performance.
“I would still be right behind the lads on such a massive occasion. I want to play, but with Ravo back we’ll have to see what happens.
“I’m fighting for my future. If I have to leave in the summer then hopefully someone was at Elland Road watching me, or maybe saw it on the TV.”
Ever observer will have been impressed with his efficient performance against highly-rated rivals. Arnison was one member of a superbly-committed defensive effort which kept Leeds at the gates until the 96th minute, when Dougie Freedman poached the goal that keeps the tie beautifully poised.
“To come away from Leeds with a 2-1 advantage is a fantastic result and we’re more than pleased with it,” he said.
“We were disappointed with the late goal but delighted with the result and the overall performance.
“We seem to play well on Sky - we did it against Nottingham Forest and we’ve done it against Leeds. They were at home in front of nearly 40,000 fans, but we more than matched them.
“I’ve played in front of 50-60,000 at the Millennium Stadium but to play in front of that crowd on Monday was fantastic. But our fans made noise all night and kept us going as well.”
Arnison believes Leeds’ obligation to attack Carlisle tomorrow night could also work to the Blues’ advantage if they can keep the back door bolted.
“They have got to come at us and that might suit us,” he said. “We can get at their back four and cause them problems like we did on Monday night.
“We have got to keep it tight and hope we don’t concede an early goal. They will be coming to win but so will we, and if we get the next goal that could make all the difference.”
He added: “It’s one of the biggest games in the club’s history. Obviously the play-off final in the Conference was a big one, but this is just as big.
“It’s our chance to get to Wembley and to the championship. Hopefully our fans will get down tomorrowand back us like they have been doing.”
